Book Discussion: "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire

You've belted out the songs in your car. You've counted down the days to the movie. But have you read the book?

In a fun coincidence, the highly-anticipated Wicked movie hits theaters in the same month that WPL is hosting two Wizard of Oz programs.  What better way to celebrate than with a bonus book club?!?!  Fans of the movie, the musical, and/or the book are invited to join in a discussion of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire on Monday, December 2 at 6:30pm. Copies of the book will be available to check out at the front desk beginning November 1.

More about the book, from the publisher:

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Related programs:

The Wizard Behind Oz a Humanities Kansas presentation by Chris Glasgow on Saturday, November 2 at 10:30am

Book discussion:  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum on Monday, November 25 at 6:30pm